Artwork

「富嶽三十六景神奈川沖浪裏」|Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

「富嶽三十六景神奈川沖浪裏」|Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1831, this woodblock print belongs to the series Thirty‑six Views of Mount Fuji by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. Executed in ink and color on paper, the image depicts a towering wave confronting two small fishing vessels, with the iconic silhouette of a snow‑capped mountain visible in the distance. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a massive, curling wave poised to engulf the boats, emphasizing the precarious relationship between humans and nature. The diminutive figures within the vessels highlight vulnerability, while the distant mountain serves as a stable, enduring reference point, suggesting a contrast between fleeting turmoil and permanent landscape.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employed traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock methods, carving separate blocks for each color and printing them in succession. Bold, sweeping lines define the wave’s crest, while a limited palette of deep blues, whites, and muted earth tones creates visual tension. The stylized rendering of foam and clouds reflects the artist’s interest in dynamic movement and atmospheric effects.

History & Provenance

First issued as part of the Thirty‑six Views of Mount Fuji series, the print circulated widely in early‑19th‑century Japan, influencing both domestic and later Western artists. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in the early 20th century, where it remains a key example of Hokusai’s printmaking output.